What the numbers say
The median wage for Business Operations Specialists in North Dakota was $80,200 in 2024, about 2.4% below the US median of $82,135. That gap is small enough that cost of living closes it entirely.
North Dakota's cost-of-living index sits at 91.9, meaning prices here run roughly 8% below the national baseline. In purchasing terms, that $80,200 stretches closer to $87,300 in national-dollar equivalents, which puts North Dakota workers modestly ahead of their counterparts in higher-cost states earning a nominally similar wage.
The spread within this occupation is wide. The bottom 10% of earners took home $51,360 in 2024. The top 10% reached $144,720. That's a gap of more than $93,000 between the low end and the high end, and it reflects how much variation exists within this occupational group. "Business Operations Specialists" covers a broad range of roles, from compliance coordinators to management analysts, and pay moves sharply with seniority and sub-specialty. The 25th percentile sat at $60,990 and the 75th at $110,140, so crossing into the upper quarter of earners means roughly doubling what entry-level peers take home.
The mean annual wage was $88,630, about $8,400 above the median. A smaller group of higher earners pulls that average up, which is worth knowing if you're using the mean as a benchmark.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 3% between 2024 and 2034, an average rate by their classification. North Dakota has a relatively small base of 1,760 workers in this group, so absolute job additions will be modest even if the rate holds.
Salary distribution
Where North Dakota business operations specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $60,990 and $110,140, with a median of $80,200.
Business Operations Specialists pay by experience level in North Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Dakota over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+3.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Business Operations Specialists in North Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Business Operations Specialists in North Dakota is $80,200.
- How does North Dakota compare to the national median for Business Operations Specialists?
- The North Dakota median is -2.4% versus the BLS national figure of $82,135.
- What is the salary range for Business Operations Specialists in North Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $51,360 and the 90th-percentile at $144,720, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Business Operations Specialists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 3.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Business Operations Specialists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.